Married At First Sight By Gu Lingfei

"Well, I'm back—and I had a midnight snack," Elora said, glancing at her mother's expression. She could tell right away-her mother had seen her and Tatum hugging.

After a brief silence, she decided to speak first.

"Mom."

"Elora."

They spoke at the same time, then fell silent again.

"You go first, Mom." Elora stepped closer. "You're clearly not sleepy yet. Come to my room- we can have a mother-daughter chat."

That way, they wouldn't disturb her father and brother.

Mrs. Ormond followed her daughter into the bedroom.

She rarely entered Elora's space. Ever since Elora started junior high, she had made it a point not to go into her daughter's room without permission.

As her children grew, they needed their own privacy, and she respected that.

you want some water?" Elora asked, noticing her mother's hesitation. She motioned for her to

Ormond studied her daughter for a moment before saying, "Elora, you just got back from a business trip. Why don't you take a hot bath first? I'll sit here for

she needed a little time to process what she had

his cooking was exceptional-so exceptional that Elora hadn't gotten tired of it after all this

had assumed her daughter's private chef arrangement would only last for a short period, thinking that Tatum was

to

her gentleness toward Tatum hadn't concerned her either. After all, Tatum wasn't just any chef-he was the sixth young master of the prestigious

only natural that her attitude toward Tatum had softened

Ormond hadn't expected sparks to fly between

future, often arranging introductions to outstanding young men in the city.

of man her daughter was waiting

wasn't focused on relationships. Her priority was managing the company and training her younger brother to take over one day.

their family's circumstances, and the fact

yet thirty, Mrs. Ormond

was, however, particular about her

Ormond family's wealth and power made them a target. If Elora married the wrong man— someone ambitious with

but she could

the risk of outsiders gaining control was a real